Suzanne Kalan’s wearable works of art are timeless enough to be passed down for generations — but they’re also innovative. A decade ago, the jewelry designer revitalized a once-staid diamond cut with the introduction of her Fireworks collection, which featured baguette diamonds scattered artfully on each piece. This influence, and the popularity of the collection, is still going strong today.
Now she has the help of her daughter Patile in bringing contemporary and geometric designs into the world, and the interplay of the generations behind the scenes sets their work apart.
When we fall in love with an exquisite piece of jewelry, we can’t help but imagine not only how it will look on us, but also on those that will cherish it after. While Patile shares her mother’s sophisticated taste, she brings a dynamic perspective that imparts fresh modernity to the collections. Together, they set a sparkling standard for creativity and collaboration. Between the brand’s custom-cut colorful gemstones and dramatically placed diamonds, its heritage and its future collide.
Coveteur: Patile, you were studying biochemistry and then decided to go into the family business. Tell me about that pivotal moment. What changed?
Patile Kalan: “Even as a young adult, school was something I felt I needed to do and not something I had a choice in. I’m sure most kids you ask would say the same thing, but I struggled tremendously with its structure and was constantly questioning its substance. ‘When will I ever use this information in my real, day-to-day life?’ was a question I asked myself daily.
Science, however, never stopped fascinating me. I still search for answers about the universe around us and within us, which is why I chose to study it in college. While I was going to school, I spent my spare time helping at Suzanne Kalan in any way I was able. Because I lacked real experience in the jewelry industry, my mom started me at the very bottom with menial tasks so I could learn every part of the business. That understanding gave me this sense of inner strength I hadn’t felt before, and the contrast of how I felt at school versus how I felt at the office was my wake-up call. I quickly realized my love for science was more existential and not something I wanted a career in, especially with my need for creativity in my life. By the time I came to this understanding, I had become an essential part of the business and my love for it was so palpable that my parents supported me in my decision to stop school to join them.”
What’s it like working together? Do your sensibilities and choices in color or design always sync?
PK: “Overall, our tastes are very much aligned. When I’m stuck in any aspect, my mom is able to center me. As far as design and color, we trust the others’ input almost implicitly. Especially when one of us has been looking at something for too long, it’s so beneficial to have that fresh set of eyes you know are as good as your own. My mom is the only person I look for when I need to bounce design ideas around.”
Does your family heritage influence your individual styles or unique designs? If so, how?
PK: “Being unique in style is something I definitely got from my parents, aunt, and grandparents. Growing up, there were times when fitting in was expected, but I was always gently nudged away from it. I pushed against it often but ultimately realized how important that individual creative expression is. It is a belief that continues to influence my choices.”
Tell me about the influence that geometric art has on your collections.
PK: “Geometric art has influenced me as far back as I can remember. In elementary school, we had an art contest where our pieces were displayed in an actual art museum to be judged and scored. I made a piece that was entirely geometric with different shapes all made using straight lines, which I then filled in with abstract color pairings. I ended up winning, which was very cool. Playing with shapes and colors has always been so enjoyable for me, which is very fitting, considering our pieces are wearable geometric art.”
Across 17-plus collections, do either of you have a favorite?
PK: “Hands down, The Fireworks Collection. Rejection after rejection, while others disagreed, we didn’t lose our ability to see how perfect it was. That determination is what I believe catapulted it in such a massive way, making the success that much sweeter. That determination and the time it took for others to see what we saw in it is what will always connect me to it.”
Suzanne, what inspired your “Fireworks” collection?
Suzanne Kalan: “About ten years ago, while sitting at my desk in the Suzanne Kalan studio, I had a bunch of baguette diamonds just scattered around. Looking at these baguettes all over the place, I was trying to figure out what to create with them. At that time, baguette diamonds weren't really popular, but I saw an opportunity to do something new and exciting with them, something that would make people see their value again.
As I sat there, staring at the random layout of the diamonds, it hit me like a flash of inspiration. What if I designed a piece where the baguette diamonds were set in a way that looked just as random and natural as they were on my desk? The idea was to take something that wasn't in demand and turn it into something special — that is how the Fireworks collection was born.”
What should we expect next from Suzanne Kalan?
SK: “Our story has been one of continuous evolution, especially since the debut of our Fireworks collection. Not only has this collection been the cornerstone of our brand for over a decade, but it’s also a consistent favorite among our customers. It is synonymous with the Suzanne Kalan name and it's clear our customers are just as obsessed as we are. Building on this legacy, we're exploring new designs with rondelle settings along with thrilling new color combinations. There are exciting things on the horizon so stay tuned for what's to come; we're just getting started on the next chapter of our creative journey.”
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